As it reached its whirling crescendo, Tatum, 18, a freshman studying education, said it's the kind of thing that would get her attention.

The siren was just a test, however.

University spokesman Brian Sattler said the siren was erected a couple of months ago, but this was the first time it was activated.

"We had to figure out the best day," he said. "Primarily, it's a loud, heads-up call."

The university will sound the siren in emergency situations such as when a nearby neighbor has a serious issue. There are nearby chemical plants and a railroad line with cars carrying volatile loads.

The siren could be used when heavy weather threatens or if there is an on-campus emergency such as a shooting, Sattler said.

At the same time the siren sounds, the university would deploy other media such as e-mail and radio announcements, Sattler said.

As Tatum, a Beaumont resident and graduate of Central High School, appraised the sound - the noise seemed to swirl as if it were rotating - other passersby on the pedestrian bridge looked in its direction just a 100 or so yards away and asked, "What is that?"

The siren is mounted on a pole 43 feet high and can belt out a warning at 130 decibels, just 10 decibels below when damage to a person's hearing could begin.